Colorimetry Apparatus Substrate Integration for Thermal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spectral colorimetry devices for image forming apparatuses are costly, large in size, and prone to detection accuracy issues due to thermal deformation and the need for a long optical path, which increases the overall cost and size of the image forming apparatus.
Innovation Solution
A colorimetry apparatus with a light emission element and a light receiving element, both mounted on the same substrate, utilizing a diffraction grating for spectral separation and multiple pixels for accurate wavelength detection, which reduces the size and cost while minimizing the impact of thermal deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a spectral colorimetry device uses a diffraction grating and line sensor for accurate wavelength detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light emission element and light receiving element on the same substrate, integrating multiple functional components into a unified structure. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall device architecture while maintaining the spectral colorimetry functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for mounting components, acts as a reference plane for optical alignment, and enables compact integration of the light emission and receiving elements. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate mounting structures.
2Measurement precision
If the distance from the light source to the detected object is increased, then measurement precision may be improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional linear optical path arrangement to a compact folded optical path design. By using reflection and refraction at strategic angles, the optical path is folded back on itself, achieving sufficient optical path length within a minimal physical footprint, thus reducing device size while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical components are arranged in a nested configuration where the light path folds within the device housing. The reflected light path is nested within the physical boundaries of the device, allowing a long effective optical path to be contained within a compact form factor.
3Measurement precision
If the light emission amount is increased to secure intensity over long distance, then measurement precision is improved, but cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional approach of increasing light emission intensity with an optical path optimization approach. By carefully designing the optical path with reflective and refractive elements, the system maintains light intensity through efficient light guidance rather than relying on high-power light sources, thereby reducing energy consumption.
4Ease of manufacture
If a conventional spectral colorimetry device structure is used with separate mounting substrates, then ease of manufacture is improved, but detection accuracy decreases due to thermal deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light emission element and light receiving element mounting onto the same substrate. This integration ensures that both elements experience identical thermal expansion and deformation, maintaining their relative positional relationship and optical alignment even under thermal stress, thus preserving detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameter relationship by mounting both elements on the same substrate, ensuring they undergo identical thermal deformation. This parameter change in the thermal response ensures that relative positions remain stable despite temperature variations, maintaining measurement precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces the cost and size of the colorimetry apparatus, maintains detection accuracy, and allows for more compact image forming apparatus designs with improved thermal stability, enhancing the commercial value and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a diffraction grating for spectrally separating, for each wavelength, the light emitted from the light emission element and reflected by the detected material for each wavelength
Implementation Method 2
a light receiving element including multiple pixels, for receiving spectral light, which is spectrally separated by the diffraction grating, for the each wavelength by the multiple pixels
Data Source
AI summary
The colorimetry apparatus includes a light source for emitting light to a surface of a detected object, a diffraction grating for spectrally separating, for each wavelength, the light emitted from the light source and reflected by the detected object, and a line sensor including multiple pixels, for receiving the light, which is spectrally separated by the diffraction grating, for the each wavelength by the multiple pixels. The light source and the line sensor are arranged on the common substrate.